FIRE TEAM IN THE DEFENSE A primary duty of a squad leader is to organize the fire teams in the defense. This is accomplished by specifying a sector of fire for the squad and PDF for each automatic rifleman. The squad leader must inform the fire team leader of any crew-served weapons, augmented from the weapons platoon, which will help in covering the assigned sector of fire. The squad leader and the fire team leader will select terrain features to show lateral and forward limits of the assigned sector of fire. The mission of the fire team is to stop the enemy forward of the FEBA or to repel the enemy by close combat if the enemy reaches the FEBA.

FIRE PLAN The fire team leader formulates a fire plan to cover the entire sector assigned by the squad leader with the heaviest possible volume of fire (fig. 4-6 and appendix II).

Figure 4.6.- Fire team fire plan. The fire plan includes the following: Individual sectors of fire Individual fighting positions Automatic riflemen PDF assigned by the squad leader or platoon commander

Crew-served weapon positions Key terrain features Position of the fire team leader INDIVIDUAL SECTORS OF FIRE If practical, each member in the fire team should cover the entire sector of fire of the fire team. The same terrain featues are used to show the limits.

INDIVIDUAL FIGHTING POSITIONS Each member of the fire team is located so as to occupy an assigned position that allows the team to cover, by fire, the assigned sector. Positions maybe prepared as single-or double-fighting holes; however, double holes are preferred. If double-fighting holes are prepared, the automatic rifleman and assistant automatic rifleman will pair off. Crew-served weapons fighting positions are more detailed and will be discussed further in this chapter.

The interval between fighting positions within a fire team varies between 5 to 20 meters. In dense terrain, single-fighting positions are usually prepared and are 5 meters apart, In open terrain, single holes may be 10 meters apart; double-fighting positions, 20 meters apart.

AUTOMATIC RIFLEMAN Since the automatic rifles are the backbone of the defense of the squad, the squad leader selects the exact fighting position. The remainder of the fire team is then positioned around the automatic rifles. The PDF of the automatic rifles are selected by the platoon commander or the squad leader.

RIFLEMAN A rifleman is positioned so he can cover the entire fire team sector. The position must provide support and protection for the automatic rifleman.

GRENADIER The squad leader positions the grenadier where the M203 grenade launcher is most effective. In combat, the grenadier is usually close to the squad leader. The squad leader may choose to use the grenadier to cover dead space in the defense.

FIRE TEAM LEADER Usually the position of the fire team leader is at the center of the fire team from which he can perform the following:

l Observe the entire fire team and its sector of fire. . Direct the fire of the automatic rifle.

. Observe the squad leader. 

FIRE PLAN SKETCH A sketch of the fire plan is submitted by the fire team leader to the squad leader. The magnetic North line provides a reference to show the direction the fire team is facing. Figure 4-7 shows the meaning of the various symbols.

SQUAD IN THE DEFENSE The platoon commander assigns each squad a defensive mission specifying a sector of fire and a primary position. Terrain features are selected to show the lateral and forward limits of the sector of fire of the squad. The platoon commander designates the general firing positions and the PDF for specific automatic rifles or crew-served weapons, which are critical to the defense of the entire platoon. Designated on-call targets are established and coordinated with the Combat Operation Center (COC). Supplementary positions are assigned to the squads for all-around defense and to protect the flanks or the rear of the platoon (fig. 4-8 and appendix II).

SQUAD FIRE PLAN The squad leader formulates a basic squad fire plan to occupy physically the assigned primary position and to cover, by fire, the sector assigned by the platoon commander. The fire plan includes the

Figure 4-7.- Fire plan sketch and symbols.

Figure 4-8.- Squad position. assignment of the sectors of fire of the fire team and PDF for automatic rifles or crew-served weapons (fig. 4-9).

FIRE TEAM POSITIONS Fire teams are distributed so they physically occupy the assigned position and can cover, by fire, the assigned sector. The fire teams are normally placed abreast, firing the FEBA. Terrain dictates the effective placement of the individual members of each fire team. Place crew-served weapons first, so the position of the squad can provide close-in protection for these weapons.

AUTOMATIC RIFLES The platoon commander norm ally designates the general firing position of a specific automatic weapon or crew-served weapon; however, this responsibility y may be delegated to the squad leader. If so, the squad leader will designate the PDF for each automatic weapon or crew-served weapon.